Freshman Ashley Ostrander's goal at 16:41 of the first half was enough for Cortland State to claim its third Division III Field Hockey Championship November 12 at Springfield.

The 1-0 win over Messiah came when Ostrander scored the game-winner off a rebound of her own shot. Messiah freshman goalkeeper Erica Nelson saved the initial attempt, but Ostrander collected the rebound near the right side of the cage and knocked in the would-be winning goal.

Although there was no scoring for the remainder of the game, Cortland State managed three more shots on goal than did Messiah.

The Red Dragons (19-2) have made four trips to the national championship match, all since 1993. Cortland State is now tied for second place all-time with William Smith with three national titles. The College of New Jersey, which dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Messiah in the semifinals, is tops among Division III programs with nine championships.

The Red Dragons advanced to the national championship game with a 4-1 win over Skidmore.

The Falcons (17-5) finished as runner-ups for the third time. Messiah also reached the final in 1984 and 1995.

The national champions placed Julie Gentner, Erin Ryder, Bonnie Kenna and Becky Gillette on the all-tournament team, while Messiah's Dana Chambers, Allison Harris and Michele Sandowich were honored. Also on the team were Taryn Howard and Stephanie Walters from Skidmore and College of New Jersey's Kerri Hunt and Megan McCall.

Championship summary

First round: Plymouth St. 5, Gordon 0; Gettysburg 6, Notre Dame (Md.) 0.

Second round: Cortland St. 4, Plymouth St. 2; Rowan 3, Williams 2; Skidmore 4, Mount Holyoke 2; William Smith 4, Wooster 1; Col. of New Jersey 4, Wesley 1; Lynchburg 2, Salisbury 1 (2 ot, 2-0 ps); St. Lawrence 2, Mary Washington 1 (2 ot); Messiah 5, Gettysburg 1.

Third round: Cortland St. 3, Rowan 0; Skidmore 1, William Smith 0; Col. of New Jersey 1, Lynchburg 0 (ot); Messiah 2, St. Lawrence 1 (ot).

Quarterfinals: Cortland St. 3, Rowan 0; Skidmore 1, William Smith 0; Col. of New Jersey 1, Lynchburg 0 (ot); Messiah 2, St. Lawrence 1 (ot).

Semifinals

First half: CNJ -- Kerri Hunt (Megan McCall), 25:00.

Second half: M -- Allison Harris (unassisted), 31:52.

Overtime: M -- Danae Chambers (penalty shot), 13:01.

Shots: Col. of New Jersey 15, Messiah 11. Goalkeeper saves: Col. of New Jersey (Sara Bouroult) 3, Messiah (Erica Nelson) 7. Penalty corners: Col. of New Jersey 10, Messiah 11.

First half: CS -- Julie Gentner (Janet Pohle), 29:27. CS -- Russell (Kim Anthony), 16:42.

Second half: CS -- Gentner (Erin Ryder), 32:47. S -- Jackie Flanagan (unassisted), 23:16. CS -- Pohle (penalty shot), 0:00.

Shots: Skidmore 19, Cortland St. 22. Goalkeeper saves: Skidmore (Kristine Osmond) 13, Cortland St. (Becky Gillette) 12. Penalty corners: Skidmore 14, Cortland St. 5.

Championship

First half: C -- Ashley Ostrander (unassisted), 16:41.

Shots: Messiah 9, Cortland St. 12. Saves: Messiah (Erica Nelson) 8, Cortland St. (Becky Gillette) 4. Penalty corners: Messiah 7, Cortland St. 8.